The Beatles - Yesterday

1. Yesterday Song Facts - Quick facts about the Beatles' song Yesterday.
2. Yesterday History - Information about the song's origins, recording, awards and other notes of interest.
3. Yesterday - Personnal - Recording artists.
4. Yesterday Trivia Quiz Game - How much do you know about the song Yesterday? - Find out here.
5. Yesterday Song Poll - How does Yesterday rate?
6. Yesterday Trivia Facts - Quick trivia facts about the song Yesterday
7. Yesterday Videos - Videos of the Beatles performing the song Yesterday.
8. Help Album - Track listing and other album related facts.
9. Yesterday Guitar Instruction Videos - Learn how to play the song Yesterday on guitar.
10. Beatles Sheet Music - Beatles sheet music at Amazon.
11. Yesterday Cover Videos - Videos of Yesterday performed by various artists.
12. Yesterday Guestbook - Take a minute and say hello.

Song Writer: Lennon/McCartney (Paul wrote 100%)
Lead Singer: Paul
Length: 2:04
Recorded: June 14 1965 - Take 2
Studio: Abbey Road
Released: Aug 6th 1965
Album: HELP
Single: B Side - Act Naturally
US Chart: Number 1 - 4 weeks
UK Chart: Number 8
Producer: George Martin

Listen to/Buy Help Album! Yesterday Ringtone Print Yesterday Sheet Music

Paul McCartney: lead vocal, guitar
Tony Gilbert: Violin
Sidney Sax: Violin
Kenneth Essex: Viola
Francisco Gabarro: Cello

Origin and Recording

According to Paul this song got its start in his dreams. In 1964 while spending the night at Jane Asher's home in London, he woke up with a tune running through his head. He claims that he went straight to the piano and began to play the piece so that he would not forget it. At first he was unsure as to whether or not the song was actually his own creation or just something that he had heard. Paul questioned numerous friends to help determine whether or not the piece was truly his own composition.

Once convinced that it was indeed his own he began to work on the lyrics. The working title of the song was "Scrambled Eggs". Most of the lyrics were completed in May of 1965 while he was on vacation in Portugal.

The song was recorded in two takes on June 14th two days after Paul returned to London. It was the first Beatle tune to feature only Paul, who played with a back-up string quartet.


Release

The other members of the band did not consider the song "Yesterday" to be worthy of being released as a single so instead it first appeared in the UK on the 'HELP' album. It was the 6th track on side two. In the US however it appeared as the 'B' side on the single 'Act Naturally'. This was quickly changed as Yesterday's popularity rapidly became apparent.


Accolades

• Yesterday, according to Guinness is the most covered song of all time. Over 3000 different artists have sung this Beatles' masterpiece.



• Yesterday won the Ivor Novello Award for 'Outstanding Song of 1965'. It came second for 'Most Performed Work of the Year', losing out to another McCartney composition, " Michelle".



• Since its debut, Yesterday has become one of the most played songs of all time with over 7 million plays.

Noteworthy

During the anthology sessions, Paul asked for the writing credits on "Yesterday" to be reversed on the album, which up until now had always read Lennon/McCartney because he had written almost the entire piece alone. Yoko Ono refused this request which became a source of contention between them. Since 1962 Paul and John had had an informal arrangement that the credits be listed as Lennon/McCartney regardless of who wrote what, but Paul stated that he had the right to change this at any time.

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• The song "Yesterday" was originally offered by Paul to the artist Chris Farlowe however, he was not interested in recording it stating it was too soft for his tastes.



• "Yesterday" was voted Best Song of the 20th Century in a 1999 BBC Radio poll.



• Paul performed a mash-up version of "Yesterday" at the 2006 Grammy Awards with Linkin park and Jay-Z.



• Bob Dylan recorded a version of the song "Yesterday" but never released it.



• According to Paul, he still has the envelope that he wrote the original lyrics to the song on.



• The Guinness Book of Records lists "Yesterday" as being the most recorded song in the history of popular music with over 3000 different cover versions to date.



• "Yesterday" was listed as number 13 on the Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" released in 2004



• Matt Monro was the first artist to release a cover version of the song "Yesterday". His version made it into the top ten in the UK charts soon after its release.

Beatles - Help Facts

Released: 13 August 1965
Recorded: Abbey Road
Length: 28:43
Label: Capitol
Producer: George Martin











Track Listing

All songs by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, except where noted.

Side one

"Help!" - 2:18
"The Night Before" - 2:33
"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" - 2:08
"I Need You" (George Harrison) - 2:28
"Another Girl" - 2:05
"You're Going to Lose That Girl" - 2:17
"Ticket to Ride" - 3:10

Side Two

"Act Naturally" (Johnny Russell, Vonnie Morrison) - 2:29
"It's Only Love" - 1:54
"You Like Me Too Much" (Harrison) - 2:35
"Tell Me What You See" - 2:36
"I've Just Seen a Face" - 2:04
"Yesterday" - 2:03
"Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (Larry Williams) - 2:53

Listen to/Buy Help Album! Yesterday Ringtone Print Yesterday Sheet Music

If you are a Beatles fan, this is a must have! Starting from the very beginning, all the way to the present. Interviews with Paul, George and Ringo (and footage of interviews with John), it really gives a personal point of view to go along with photos, images and footage of the fab four.